The experts at Bodymotion have listed their top three ways to prevent unwanted back pain.
1. Take Breaks
To reduce the stress on your spine and its surrounding soft tissue (muscles, ligaments, etc.), it is necessary to regularly take breaks from sitting (at least every twenty to thirty minutes).
A simple analogy is to consider an elastic band. If you pull the elastic band apart, it will spring back to its original position.
However, over time, repetitive and prolonged stretching of the elastic band will result in the band becoming elongated. A similar scenario occurs to the soft tissue of the spine during sitting/slouching in front of a PC all day. This leads to instability and an increased likelihood of injury.
2. Regular Exercise
Regular exercise also plays an important role in your spinal health and prevention of injury.
It is recommended that people take at least 20 minutes of exercise a day to improve cardiovascular fitness. In addition, a simple, well-performed weights programme is advisable. However, if the technique is poor, this may perpetuate an existing injury.
All too often, we are exposed to new types of equipment in the gym which are claimed to be the answer for developing strength, decreasing back pain, improving flexibility, etc.
3. Weight/Diet
Excessive weight can be detrimental to your spinal health, as it alters your posture and increases your spinal load. Over time, this may result in increased stress being placed on areas of the spine that do not have a predominantly weight-bearing function. This can lead to degeneration and, eventually, painful symptoms.
Apart from a healthy, balanced diet, it is essential to stay hydrated. Water is an essential component to intervertebral discs and lack of water often contributes to symptoms such as headaches. Dehydration has also been shown to have a detrimental effect on mental function.
It is recommended that water intake should be increased during hot weather and when exercising.
Book an appointment with Bodymotion today
Our team of London chiropractors and sports massage therapists are on hand to answer any questions you may have, so get in touch today via enquiries@body-motion.co.uk or on +44 (0)20 7374 2272.